TX and FL save close to $1B/y with fewer ESL students

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Declines in the number of English-learning students enrolled in Florida and Texas public schools during the 2025--26 school year were associated with an estimated $835 million to $890 million reduction in education funding across the two states, according to an American Accountability Foundation report

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Florida classifies students actively receiving English-language-learner instruction under the designation "LY." That population increased from 277,473 during the 2021--22 school year to 368,068 in 2024--25, an increase of 90,595 students, or 32.7 percent.

During 2025--26, however, the number fell by 23,641 students to 344,427, representing a 6.4 percent decline and the first decrease in the period examined by AAF.

AAF said the number of students entering post-exit monitoring continued to rise, which it argued showed that students were "not dropping out mid-program" and that the decline instead reflected fewer new English learners entering Florida schools.

The Florida Education Finance Program funds English-learning students through an English for Speakers of Other Languages cost factor of 1.165, or 16.5 percent above the base amount. Using a Base Student Allocation of $5,372.60, AAF calculated average total funding of approximately $9,122.93 per student during 2025--26.

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